Pursuant is a formalsuitable for serious situations and not casual speech word used in the phrase pursuant to, meaning in accordanceagreement with a rule, plan, or request with or as requiredneeded or demanded by a rule, law, or situation by something.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-12. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /pər-SOO-ənt/
Easy pronunciation: per-SOO-uhnt (approximate spelling).
Stress: Primary stress is on the second syllable.
Used mainly in the phrase “pursuant to,” meaning in accordance with or as required by.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-12. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pursuant Meaning
following or in agreement with something
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: Used in the phrase “pursuant to” to mean in accordance with or as required by.
Example: The report was prepared pursuant to the court order.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- according to — Common practical substitute in many formal contexts.
- in accordance with — Very close formal equivalent in legal and official writing.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-12. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pursuant Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- according to
- in accordance with
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-12. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Using pursuant as a standalone everyday adjective; it is usually seen in the fixed phrase pursuant to.
- Confusing pursuant to with 'because of' or 'after'; it means in accordance with or under the authority of something.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-12. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does pursuant mean in legal writing?
In legal or formal writing, pursuant to means in accordance with or under the authority of a rule, agreement, or order.
Is pursuant to formal?
Yes. It is a formal phrase, especially common in legal, administrative, and business language.
Can I say pursuant by itself?
Usually no. It is normally used in the phrase pursuant to.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-12. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
